So I had a learning moment last week. As you may know, I have hosted monthly teleseminars on various business growth topics for years now. Recently, when I surveyed my community they expressed interest in more webinars instead of teleseminars.
In response to that survey, we set up the webinar system using brand new technology. With the help of referral partners, we beautifully executed a thought-out marketing strategy generating lots of excitement for the very first complimentary webinar.
- Presentation…check
- Timing…check
- Reminders…check
However, a few hours prior to the webinar, we discovered the technology was not going to work as planned. We diligently troubleshooted it. We sent emails about it. We were even quite creative about it.
Then the moment came. Prior to the scheduled time, I had to do something I had never had to do before – the webinar had to be cancelled because the system wasn’t working. On one hand, as a systems guru, that was a hard pill to swallow. On the other hand, I had to just laugh at the irony of it all.
Still, I was so disappointed.
And, guess what?
The world didn’t end.
Then, something I hadn’t expected happened. The messages started to trickle in. One message was very simple but heart centered, “Hi Lisa, I understand.” I always knew that I attracted the heart-centered entrepreneurs. The messages just confirmed it.
As entrepreneurs, this is an important lesson to remember. You will try things. Some things work as planned. Some won’t. Some people will understand. Some won’t. I believe that everything has its perfect order for reasons we don’t always understand in that moment.
The morale of this experience? If at first you don’t succeed, regroup and try again.
Has that ever happened to you where you had the best laid plans and it just didn’t work out? Please share your story below and, in retrospect, what you learned from it.
Yea, $h1# happens… and its part of life. The important part is that people understand we are human, and that we learn from our experiences. Some lessons are more expensive than others. And the way we recover, shows our character. 🙂
Great lesson Lisa. Thanks! 🙂
After interviewing many leaders, who manage to ride the waves of change, I’ve learned to adapt their views on mistakes. It’s tuition toward your education and a form of accelerated learning. I applaud you for focusing on the lessons learned and sharing them with us. It lets us all be a little kinder to ourselves and take credit for going for it.
Thanks, Marilyn!
Brilliant post… Two weeks ago I failed my PhD defense… dusting my knees off and going at it again… Regrouping allows the possibility of finding solutions. Great life lesson.
Shawne – you’re an inspiration to others. Love what you said about regrouping allowing the possibility of finding solutions.
Thinking on your feet is an integral part of being a business owner, and especially an entrepreneur.
If I had a dime for all the things I planned but didn’t work out, I wouldn’t have to work. Our lessons come from the mistakes. Thanks for posting this!!
Sharon – you’re welcome and what you said is so true – our lessons do come from the mistakes.